Today’s subject of Art History Month at The History Bluff is Raphael’s School of Athens.

Today’s concept of completing coursework at your own pace is not a new trend. As evidenced in Raphael’s painting, Plato and Aristotle were proponents of pace education. Students in Athens could be found lounging around on the school steps or feverishly working ahead on group projects. In addition, the School of Athens allowed recess and snacktime for all age groups – unlike today’s traditional schools which limit student enrichment activities such as those and naptime.